§ 148. Captain Marsdenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether any attempt was made to settle the dispute between India and Pakistan within the British Commonwealth of Nations; and whether the Government will take steps, with a view to setting up a permanent consultative body of representatives from all British Commonwealth Nations to deal with such matters, instead of referring them to the United Nations Organisation.
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§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerIt is, of course, always open to members of the British Commonwealth to seek the assistance of other members in the settlement of their differences. In the dispute between India and Pakistan as regards Kashmir, no such suggestion was made by either Government concerned. As regards the suggestion for setting up a permanent consultative body of representatives from British Commonwealth countries, this is a matter which would require the consent of all the Commonwealth countries, and the United Kingdom Government do not believe that, in present conditions, it would be practicable to obtain such general agreement.